Translation guide
How to express agreement, confirmation, or a positive response in Japanese, depending on formality and context.
The most common way to give an affirmative answer or show agreement in conversation.
The standard polite 'yes'. Used in formal and neutral situations. Can also mean 'I understand' or 'here you are'.
"Would you like some tea?" "Yes, please."
A casual but still polite 'yes', softer than はい. Common in everyday conversation.
「明日来る？」「ええ、行くよ。」
"Are you coming tomorrow?" "Yeah, I'll go."
Very casual 'yeah' or 'uh-huh', used among friends and family. Not for formal situations.
「これ食べていい？」「うん、いいよ。」
"Can I eat this?" "Yeah, sure."
Literally 'that is so', used to confirm a statement. Polite form of そうだ.
「田中さんですか？」「はい、そうです。」
"Are you Mr. Tanaka?" "Yes, that's right."
Used when you want to affirm that something is correct, true, or agreed upon, often in more formal or written contexts.
The direct translation of 'affirmative', meaning affirmation or positive. Used in formal, logical, or grammatical contexts.
彼の返事は肯定だった。
His reply was affirmative.
Adjectival form meaning 'affirmative' or 'positive'. Often used to describe attitudes or responses.
Polite phrase meaning 'yes, that is correct'. Common in formal Q&A.
「この書類は正しいですか？」「はい、そうです。」
"Is this document correct?" "Yes, it is."
Used in contexts like parliamentary procedure, ballots, or formal agreements where 'affirmative' means a vote in favor.
Means 'agreement' or 'approval'. Used for voting 'aye' or 'in favor'.
その動議に賛成の人は手を挙げてください。
Those in the affirmative on the motion, please raise your hands.
An affirmative vote or ballot.
賛成票が過半数を超えた。
The affirmative votes exceeded a majority.
Referring to the positive form of a verb or sentence, as opposed to negative.
The affirmative form of a verb or adjective. Used in grammar explanations.
この動詞の肯定形は「食べる」です。
The affirmative form of this verb is 'taberu'.
An affirmative sentence.
肯定文を否定文に変えてください。
Please change the affirmative sentence into a negative sentence.
English 'affirmative' is rarely translated directly as 肯定 in everyday speech. Use はい or ええ for simple agreement, and そうです for confirmation.
「コーヒーでいい？」「はい。」
"Is coffee okay?" "Yes."
はい is polite and safe for most situations. ええ is softer and more conversational but still polite. うん is very casual and should only be used with close friends or family.
She gave an affirmative opinion on the proposal.